The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

about nine o'clock when Gwen--(you

member Gwen? My little maid with red hair) well

--Gwen came in and told me that Mr. Petherick

and a gentleman had called to see me. Gwen had

showed them into the drawing-room--quite

rightly. I was sitting in the dining-room because in

early spring I think it is so wasteful to have two

fires going.

I directed Gwen to bring in the cherry brandy

and some glasses and I hurried into the drawing-room.

I don't know whether you remember Mr.

Petherick? He died two years ago, but he had been

a friend of mine for many years as well as attend-ing

to all my legal business. A very shrewd man

and a really clever solicitor. His son does my busi-ness

for me now--a very nice lad and very up to

date--but somehow I don't feel quite the confi-dence

I had in Mr. Petherick.

I explained to Mr. Petherick about the fires and

he said at once that he and his friend would come

into the dining-room--and then he introduced his

friend--a Mr. Rhodes. He was a youngish man--not

much over forty-and I saw at once that there

was something very wrong. His manner was most

peculiar. One might have called it rude if one

MISS MAPLE TELLS A STORY

13 l

hadn't realized thai the poor fellow was suffering

from strain.